Related Links

CHINO, Calif. – The UC San Diego women’s cross country team capped off its best year at the Division II level with a 7th place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Prado Park in Chino, Calif. The Tritons’ previous best team finish was 16th place at the 2003 Championships.

Adams State College won the title, besting the other 23 teams at the championships for the second-straight season. AdamsState had their top five runners all finish in the top-20. Mandi Zemba of GrandValleyState (Mich.) was the top individual finisher, breaking the tape in a time of 21:01.7, more than 11 seconds faster than the runner-up.

Senior Mimi Hodgins concluded her cross country career as the top individual finisher for the Tritons, finishing 23rd overall out of the 186 entrants with her time of 22:14.0. Sophomore Emily McGregor was the next fastest UCSD runner with her mark of 22:34.5 which placed her 35th.

Erin O'Donnell finished 44th with her time of 22:44.2 while Nina Miller crossed the finish line in a time of 23:54.1, good enough for 88th place. Diane Dunn rounded out the UCSD scoring with her 94th place finish in a time of 24:00.7.

Michelle DiMeo and Amanda Burkhardt also ran for the Tritons on Saturday with DiMeo finishing in 100th place with her time of 24:12.5 while Burkhardt was one of six runners who were unable to complete the course.

UCSD head coach Ted Van Arsdale has now guided his women’s team to four-straight NCAA National Championship appearances. The women finished 17th in 2002 and last year to go along with their 16th place finish in 2003 and this year’s 7th place standing.